Plan for hotel and new homes on site of old Bromley town hall to be debated this week

By Lachlan Leeming, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans which would see hotel rooms and 53 new homes built at Bromley’s historic Old Town Hall are set to be decided this week.

A virtual meeting of Bromley’s planning board will see councillors vote on the application to restore and extend the hall by developer Castleforge, in a scheme which has been recommended for approval by council officers.

Under the extensive plans, the Grade II listed building will be partially demolished and converted to provide office space, 24 hotel bedrooms and a food and drinking establishment within the Old Courthouse.

A 53-apartment, five-storey block will also be built on the site of the South Street car park.

Of the 15 responses the council had received from the public, 14 objected to the proposal – with concerns the development would impact on the surrounding conservation areas among the fears voiced.

However, Historic England has backed the proposal.

According to council officers, the development would “deliver a scheme for the reuse of this vacant Grade II listed building and lead to the removal of the building from the Building at Risk Register”.

“The proposed Old Town Hall development will preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the Bromley Town Centre Conservation Area,” officers wrote in supporting the move.

Built in 1906 and officially opened one year later, the building was used as premises for Bromley College until 2007.

Developer Castleforge submitted an application in August last year.

The packed meeting – the first planning agenda to be held remotely and streamed online live – will also hear the latest in Lidl’s proposal to demolish the Porcupine Pub at Mottingham.

A plan to demolish offices at Wells House, from 15-17 Elmfield Road, to be replaced by a new part-seven and part-eight storey office block, will also be decided.